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4-County Electric Power Association is a not-for-profit electrical distribution cooperative owned by those we serve. 4-County has been providing affordable and reliable electricity to our members since 1939 as well as striving to serve as a good neighbor and a positive force in the communities in which we work and live. We currently serve more than 48,000 consumer/members in parts of nine counties. The original four of Lowndes, Oktibbeha, Clay, and Noxubee have been joined by parts of Monroe, Choctaw, Webster, Chickasaw and Winston.

4-County is one of more than 900 electric power cooperatives in the United States. We are organized under the seven cooperative principles first set out by the Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers in Rochdale, England in 1844. In the nearly two centuries since, cooperatives around the world continue to operate under these ideals.

The Cooperative Principles:

1. Voluntary and Open Membership Cooperatives are democratic organizations, open to all people able to use its services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, without gender, social, racial, political or religious discrimination.

2. Democratic Member Control Cooperatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting policies and making decisions.

3. Members’ Economic Participation Members contribute equally to, and democratically control, the capital of the cooperative.

4. Autonomy and Independence Cooperatives are autonomous, self-help organizations controlled by their members.

5. Education, Training and Information Cooperatives provide education and training for members, elected representatives, managers and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their cooperative.

6. Cooperation among Cooperatives Cooperatives serves their members most effectively and strengthens the cooperative movement by working together.

7. Concern for Community While focusing on member needs, cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities.